VP Radhakrishnan Urges MSMEs to Harness AI for Viksit Bharat at the International MSME Day 2026 Event

At the International MSME Day 2026 celebrations held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan emphasized that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will play a defining role in achieving India’s long-term development vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047.”

Addressing the ‘MSME Day 2026–Udyami Bharat’ gathering, the Vice President described MSMEs as the backbone of India’s economy, representing the ambition of young entrepreneurs, the determination of first-generation business owners, and the resilience of small industries across the country. He noted that India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation will be strongly driven by this sector’s growth and innovation.

MSMEs urged to scale up with quality and ambition

Drawing from his experience in public service and industry leadership, Radhakrishnan encouraged entrepreneurs to stay committed to their businesses and overcome early-stage challenges with persistence. He stressed that maintaining high product and service quality is essential for survival in a competitive global marketplace.

While cost efficiency remains important, he cautioned that it should never compromise standards. He also called on enterprises to continuously expand their scale of operations, urging micro businesses to grow into small enterprises and small firms to evolve into medium-sized companies.

He highlighted the importance of supportive policies, easier access to credit, and increased investment to enable sustained growth within the MSME ecosystem.

AI and digital tools positioned as growth drivers

A major focus of the Vice President’s address was the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transformation. Aligning with the global theme “Human-Centered Entrepreneurship in an AI-Driven Future,” he encouraged MSMEs to embrace emerging technologies as opportunities rather than threats.

He compared current AI-driven changes to earlier technological shifts such as the introduction of computers, which initially raised concerns but eventually created new jobs and industries. According to him, AI can significantly enhance productivity, innovation, and global competitiveness for small businesses.

Government launches new digital platforms for MSMEs

The event also saw the unveiling of several digital initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s MSME ecosystem:

• PMEGP 2.0 Portal: Designed to streamline beneficiary processes and integrate with Jan Samarth Portal for faster credit access.
• SAMADHAAN 2.0 Portal: A system to track delayed payments owed to MSMEs by government departments and agencies.
• MSME Global Mart 2.0: Integrated with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), it aims to expand market access for small businesses across India and abroad.
• Multilingual AI Support System: An AI-based platform offering services in 22 Indian languages, including voice-based grievance redressal and document translation to improve accessibility.

Push toward a digitally empowered MSME sector

The government’s continued rollout of digital platforms reflects a broader strategy focused on formalization, innovation, and technology adoption within the MSME sector. Officials said these initiatives are designed to improve ease of doing business, enhance transparency, and help small enterprises compete in both domestic and global markets.

With AI integration and digital infrastructure gaining momentum, policymakers believe MSMEs are well-positioned to become a central force in India’s economic transformation.